Southern Moderate African American Issues

Southern Democrats: Come Together Like Trumpism

Because Trump is right, I want to apologize to my fellow moderate Blue Dog Democrats. While I can’t stand most of Trumpism, the whole GOP got behind him after he won the nomination. The two largest sections of the Democrat Party in the South are the traditional moderates and the emerging Progressives. If Dems don’t learn to come together, we will make Trump a two term president then experience eight years of President Pence after that. By that point, America could be on the verge of a real life “Handmaid’s Tale” and no one saw it coming.

Over the last year, I thought the Establishment Democrats in Georgia were pouting because they can’t control the Progressives. Of course, some Dems want a loyalty oath from the Bernie Sanders’ crew because their lack of support for Hillary is one of the factors that put Trump in the Oval. The Progressive Movement might need to form a party of their own but if you are rocking with us, rock with us until the wheels fall off.

Last night, a local elected official asked me why he can’t donate directly to the Stacey Abrams for Governor campaign and I thought he was mistaken. Actually, he was right because it appears the campaign is using the ActBlue fundraising mechanism. ActBlue is fire hot with progressive causes but primarily using them causes pause for traditional Dems on some level.

Of course, the traditional Dem methods in Georgia over the last 15 years haven’t met with much success. Generally, they raise money, spend said money on T.V. ads with their friend’s firms and then ask Black folks to do GOTV as volunteers. Say what? Credit Ms. Abrams for changing that madness and maybe that’s why the Establishment is ruffled.

Look, fighting the mess of Trumpism will require all hands on deck like the invasion of Normandy—there is plenty of combat to go around. We know the traditional Dem methods can get to a certain point but in Georgia and nationally, getting over the top calls for firing up young people who are drawn to progressive issues.

Again, I want to apologize to Blue Dogs whom I thought were ignoring the Progressives. It could be that both sections were territorially boxing out each other. They must stop that silliness, join hands and sing “The More We Get Together,” the Beatles’ “Come Together,” or Tupac’s “I Ain’t Mad at Cha.”

In 2016, some Republicans held their noses and voted for Trump. It seems they were listening to Stephen Stills’ “Love The One You’re With.” When the Dems get together, we need to see diversity at the table. The GOP is running America into the ground with little input from anyone not like them. Oh, the Democrats in the South during most of my life were a coalition made up of recently warring factions.

While it was difficult being in a party with former (let’s hope) segregationists, it worked in transition. Now, many of those Dixiecrats have found a comfortable home in the GOP….good riddance. What we aren’t going to do is spend time begging them to come back. Their numbers can be replaced with suburban families and a “woke” young electorate. It’s awkward when Progressives attempt to energize old Blue Dogs like me and it’s equally awkward when moderates approach them.

Democrats need a concerted effort in which subgroups with proper funding do what they do best. If we aren’t successful, the future could be a version of the Handmaid’s Tale featuring Jim Crow’s great grandson…. Jamie Crow. “Praise Be.”